‘Romper,’ ‘Ballroom’ tango atop Oz B.O.

The Aussie box office witnessed a surprising first over the weekend when two low-budget domestic offerings clocked in at first and second places, eclipsing “Sneakers,””Unlawful Entry” and “Patriot Games.”

“Strictly Ballroom” has been outgunning all other offerings for weeks, but now Geoffrey Wright’s controversial “Romper Stomper,” released via Roadshow, has joined it.

In its first four days “Romper Stomper” grossed $ A481,485 ($ 337,000) on about 50 screens, placing it at the top of the B.O. “Strictly Ballroom” was close behind with $ 335,000.

“Romper Stomper,” repped internationally by August Entertainment, is about gang warfare and has sparked widespread publicity about racial content and violence.

Academy Entertainment has acquired all U.S. rights to pic, with theatrical release planned for 1993.

Pic’s B.O. feat is considered even more impressive given it carries a “Restricted” (18 & over) rating, which generally hampers films at Oz wickets (“Basic Instinct” was the first pic to break that bind).